Kluman & Balter acquired by distributor Brenntag

The German-based business, which operates from more than 550 locations and generated sales of €10.5bn (£9.3bn) in 2016, said the deal would increase its footprint in the UK’s “very attractive food and nutrition sector”.

“The UK bakery ingredients and cake mixes market is expected to continue to grow, benefiting from positive consumer trends such as increasing demand for gluten, lactose or other free-from goods,” said Anthony Gerace, Brenntag Group managing director for mergers and acquisitions.

Kluman & Balter and A1 Cake Mixes (which was 50%-owned by Kluman & Balter) specialise in the distribution of bakery ingredients as well as bakery and confectionery mixes. The businesses are expected to generate total sales of £77.5m in the 2017 financial year.

“Kluman & Balter are delighted to be partnering with a global business that has the infrastructure and resources to take a family-owned, fourth-generation business, which was established in 1923, to the next level,” said Kluman & Balter MD Danny Kluman.

“We are equally delighted that the transaction also includes the purchase of A1 Cake Mixes so we can continue to develop our expertise and value-added approach to the sector with the supply of bespoke cake mixes.”

Kluman added that the deal would give the business the opportunity to bring the value-added side of the operation to the rest of the world using the Brenntag distribution network.

“I have been very passionate about making sure the company is sold to the right buyer and have found the perfect home with Brenntag, which will allow us to continue to grow and take advantage of synergies in distribution as well as creating opportunities for the future,” he said.